Bratton considered how the police-worn body cameras were implemented in other cities, like Los Angeles, where he served as police chief, and plans to begin the initiative with 50 officers, according to the New York Post.

"It's a technology that I support strongly," Bratton said at a news conference Thursday. "It's a technology that is needed in American to help deal with so many of the events that we're seeing."

"And I would fully expect that before I leave as police commissioner, this department will be probably the best technology equipped department in America," he added.

In the wake of Eric Garner's death in police custody last month in Tompkinsville, Public Advocate Letitia James recently proposed a pilot program in which the NYPD would be outfitted with body cameras to record incidents with police.

Ms. James' proposal suggested the city's precincts with the highest complaints use the body cameras, including the 120 Precinct in St. George. Her proposal said it would cost about $32 million to outfit the entire department with body cameras.

"I've been proud to lead the push for equipping NYPD officers with body-worn video cameras because doing so will provide transparency, accountability, and protection for both the police officers and those they serve, while reducing financial losses for the city," Ms. James said in a statement Thursday. "(The) announcement that the NYPD is taking steps towards this goal is an important development. But the success of a pilot program can only be achieved by establishing clear rules and procedures with respect to camera operation and data collection. I look forward to working with the administration to make this proposal a reality."

The prospect of putting body cameras on police officers was introduced last year amid a series of sweeping changes ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin, who ruled that the NYPD intentionally discriminated against Blacks and Hispanics with its stop-and-frisk practices.